Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division Act

/ ' I 1l;a!..,;..,L""""'cYt'"- ~'j: ~...,.;!!~ ,I ' .. l ~~':-\ .. . ' LIBERIA FERTII JZER REGU DIVISION ACT ~ ]ii !iti! AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 28 OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW OF 1972 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ; THE LIBERIA FERTILIZER REGULATORY DIVISION WITHIN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE 2 TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE PIIBAMBLE ... .. .. . .. ........ ...... . . .. .... .. ....... ....... .. ... .. . ........ ...... . ....... ...... . CHAPTER I: GENERAL PROVISIONS .... .... .. ..... ... .. .......... ... .. .... · .... .... . Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 Article 4 Article 5 Article 6 A1ticle 7 Citation ........................................... .. . ..... . ............ . . .. .. .... . Acronyms and Definitions ..... . . .. . . . . .. .. . ....... .. ... . . .. . .... . .. .... . ... . Purpose of this Act. .. .... . . . . .. ..... . . ........ . .. . .. . ..... ... . ... .. . .. ... . .. .. .. Scope of the Act . .... . . .... . .... ........ . .. . ............ . ..... . . . . . .. .. . . . . .... . . Confidentiality ------------------------------------------------------------------­ Proprietary Information --------------------------------------------------------­ Publication of Information CHAPTER II: GUIDING PRINCIPLES A1iicle 8 Article 9 /\1tic le 10 Article 11 Art icle 12 Principle of Harmonization----------------------------------------------------­ Principle of Truth-in-labeling ---------------------------------------.. ----------­ Principle of Free Movement of Fertilizer -------------------------~---------­ Principle of International Standards Recognition --------------------------­ Principle of Participation and Information CHAPTER III FERTILIZER REGULATORY SYSTEM----------------- Article 13 Artic le 14 Art cle 15 Article 16 Article 17 Article 18 Article 19 Article 20 Article 21 Article 22 Article 23 Ai1icle 24 Article 25 Article 26 Article 27 Article 28 Aiiicle 29 Article 30 Article 31 Article 32 Article 33 Establishment of the Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division--------------­ Functions of the Liberia Ferti lizer Regulatory Division -------------------­ The Administrative Services Unit---------------------------------------------­ The Inspection Service Unit -----------------------------------------------------­ The Analytical Laboratories --·----------------------------------- --- --- --------­ Establishment of t1e Liberia National Fe1ti lizer Regulatory Council ---­ Functions of the Liberia National Fertilizer Regulatory Counci l--------­ Composition of the Liberia National Fertilizer Regulatory Council ---­ Tenure of Members of the Liberia National Ferti lizer Regu latory Council------------------------------------------------------- Meetings of the Liberia National Fertilizer Regulatory Council-------­ Disclosure of Interest ----------------------------------------------------------­ Establishment of Committees Allowances ------- Esta biish men t of the Liberia Fertilizer Advisory Committee-----------­ Functions of the Liberia Ferti lizer Advisory Committce-----------------­ Composition of the Liberia Fertilizer Advisory Committee-----------------­ Meetings of the Liberia Fertilizer Advisory Committee---------------------­ Inspection, Sampling and Analysis by the Division--------------------------­ Methods of Inspection, Sampling and Analysis of Fertilizer----------------­ Insp ecti on Procedure----------------------------------------------------~--- .: ---­ Certificate of Analysis 3 6 8 8 8 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 20 21 ffl ~ = I ~ .:: .... ... nick 34 Art icle 35 Artic le 36 Artic le 37 rtic le 38 Article 39 J\ 11 icle 40 ,\rticlc 4 l rl ic le 42 • 0 icle 43 Artic le Ll4 1 icle 45 Artic le 46 Art icle 47 Art icle 48 Article 49 Article 50 Article 5 I Article 52 Article 53 1\rtic lc 54 1\rtic lc 55 !-\ rticle 56 1\rticlc 57 F erti 1 i zer Quality Co ntro 1------------------------~----------------------------­ Im port and Export Regime-.---------------------------------------------------­ Registration of Manufacturers and Importers of Fertilizer----------------­ License to Distribute or Retail Fertilizer-------------------------------------­ p ro ees sing of A pp li cation------------------------------------------------------­ R e gi strati on Fees----------------------------------------------------------------­ Grounds for Refusal to Issue a Certificate of Rcgistration----------------­ Issue and Renewal of a Certificate of Registration-------------------------­ N on-transferability of Registration-------------------------------------------­ F erti lizer Register---------------------------------------------------------------­ S u spension or Rw ocation of a Certificate of Registration or License--­ G r i ev an e e Procedure-----------------------------------------------------------­ Transport of Fertilizer----------------------------------------------------------­ W arehousing and Storage of F erti I izcr Labels p aekaging of Fertilizers Types of Fees------------------------------------------------------------------ Tonnage Reports----------------------------------------------------------- ; -­ [ n s p ecti on Fees-----------------------------------------------------------------­ Es tab lis hmen t of the Inspection Fund-------------~ 0 b j ects of the Fund------------------------------------------------------------­ Managemen t of the Fund-----------------------------------------------------­ A cc o u n ts and Audit-----------------------------------------------------------­ Ann ua I Reports and Other Reports----------~ CHA PTE R lV: VIOLATIONS, OFFENCES AND PENALTIES r\rtic lc 58 ,\rtic le 59 [\rticle 60 , rticle 61 1-\rticle 62 nicle 63 .\ rtiele 64 ,, .nic le 65 Artic le 66 0 f fences-------------- -------------------------------------- p Ian t Nutrient Deficiency A d ul terat ion------ --------------------------------------------------------------­ Misbranding Short Weight 0 bs tructi on of Inspectors ' 'Stop Sale'' 0 rders----- -- ----------------------------------. ------------------­ p cnal ties for Violations A pp eal CHA PTER V: SPECIAL PROVISIONS .\rtick 67 Anicle 68 A1ticle 69 ,-\rticle 70 : icle 7 l . ick 72 Special Consideration for harmful Substances---------------------------­ Minimum Percentage of Nutrients Claimable----------------------------­ Plant Nutrient Guarantees Other than Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Po tas s i u1n ------------------------------------------ ------ Maxim um Allowable Heavy Metal Limits-~-~----------------------------­ Maximum Allowable Variation of Primary Nutrient Contcnt----------­ Maximum Allowable Variation of Secondary and Micro 4 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 25 25 26 26 26 26 26 27 28 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 30 31 31 31 31 32 33 33 33 33 33 34 36 Nu tri en t Content CHAPTER VI FIN AL PRO VISIONS Article 73 Article 74 Article 75 Article 76 Article 77 A1iicle 78 Article 79 Article 80 Cooperation with Other Entities--------------------------------------------­ Exchange between Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors Saving --------------------------------------------------------------------------­ Contravention Application of the Act --------------------------------------------------------­ Guiding Regulations------------------------ -------------- ---------------------. Interim Provision En try in to Force 5 36 36 36 37 37 37 37 37 37 38 ...; a ffl! ~ "" :;; AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 28 OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW OF 1972 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LIBERIA FERTILIZER REGULATORY DIVISION WITHIN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE PREAM BLE: The Government of Liberia, [Vlindful of Articles 10, 11 and 12 ofECOWAS Revised Treaty establishing the Council of Ministers and c!cJi ning its composition and functions ; M indful of Decision A/DEC.11/01 /05 adopting an Agriculh1ral Policy for the Economic Community of \Vest Afri can States; \ 1indful of Regulation C/REG.13/12/12 relating to Fertilizer Quality Control in the ECOWAS region; \lindfu l or its strong efforts through the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) for the development of plans and srrnlegics for the regeneration of the agricultural sector in Liberia as referenced iq several publications, mclud ing the "Lift Liberia" Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy (IPRS) 2006, Poverty Reduction Strategy ( PRS) 2008, the Food and Agriculture Policy and Strategy (FAPS) 2009, the National Food Security and Nutritio n Strategy (FSNS) 2008, and the Liberia Agriculture Sector Investment Program (LASIP) 2009, 20 l O underpinned by the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) compact signed by Libe ria in 2009; Recognizing that, with the restoration of peace and constitutional governance iu 2006, st;ikchol<lcrs, including MoA, donors, development partners, farmers and others have recommended and supported fast­ tracking general institutional reforms and restructuring, inclu ling specific emphasis on lhe development ur the agri -inputs sector; Recallin g that, as a Member State, the Government of Liberia (GoL) has, over the years, made strong representations into, acquiesced in and acceded to the various ECOWAS legal framework governing Ccnilizer trade and quality control in West Africa including the 24-25 & 27 September 2012 validation ,rnd rn inisterial meetings that have preceded the enactment of REGULATION C/REG. 13/12/ l2RELATING TO FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL IN THE ECOWAS REGION at the S1xly-ninth Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers held in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire and which has been gazetted by the GoL in September 2014, thereby giving it full legal weight and n: lerencc in Liberia; .\ctepting that the above ECOW AS Regulation requires that Liberia, as a Member State, shall implement ,his Regula tion by preparing and enacting the Liberia Fertilizer Regulations bas-ed on the ECOWAS l:'rnmework fo r use in the national fe1iilizer program in order to fit into, and derive the required benefits i r0111 the Community's Fertilizer Trade; Acknowledging that the ECOWAS Regulation C/REG.13/12/12 and associated draft Implementing l~egulauons have formed the basis and guide for drafting the endorsed and approved 2015 Liberia h :rt1 1Izcr Regulatwns; 6 Mindful that the GoL has no previous specific enactment relating to fertilizer legislation, but may require enacting further legislations in future, pursuant to this adoption of the 2015 Regulations; Noting that the foundational regulations as domesticated and this Act have been validated through a process of research, consultations and workshop by the consultants and relevant stakeholders in Liberia to achieve overall consensus to justify Ministerial approval; Acknowledging and appreciating the continuous support, constrnctive participation and engagement of all development partners, with particular reference to USAID/FED and USA ID W AFP that have sponsored and funded the preparation of this Act; Acknowledging that the Government of Liberia, from an environmental protection and food security context, is concerned that future use of fertilizer does not undesirably affect the environment and, when combined with best management practices, the Government believes that appropriate fertilizer application can improve the quality of the environment by: a. Increasing the quality and quantity of biomass produced per hectare, which aids in stabilizing and protecting the soil from erosion; b. Increasing land productivity thereby eliminating the necessity for producing crops on land unsuited fo r cultivation; c. Increasing accumulation of soil nutrients in biomass, thereby minimizing percolation of soluble nutrients to ground water; and d. Reducing the amount of forestland placed into cultivation as a result of improved yields. Mindful that the Government from a policy context, strongly 3encourages research efforts by various organizations to provide information vital to the use of plant nutrients without adversely affecting the environment and that the use of this infonnation by agronomists and other advisors in educational programs and in making recommendations will surely provide for adequate source of food while safeguarding the environment of Liberia. Acknowledging that Govemtnent recognizes and endorses: a. The use of soil testing and plant tissue analysis as scientifically correlated with fertilizer needs of specific soil, crop and climate; b. The protection of land resources against erosion through employment of best management practices; and c. Long-term research programs to quantify the effects of fertilizer on the environment under di verse combinations of soils, climate, crop and management. Acknowledging stakeholders unanimous decision to develop the legal framework for domesticating the ECOW AS Regulations on Fertilizers; NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia, in Legislature assembled: 7 :; CHAPTER I: GENERAL PROVISIONS A rti cle I: Citation This Act sl1a ll he cilcd as The Liheriu Fertilizer Regulatory Division Act. , rticlc 2: Acronyms 1111<1 Definitions For the purpose or this Act, unless the context olhcrwisc requires the below acronyms and definitions shall ~ - have thc li >ll()wi 11 g 1111.:a11 i11g: .. C HO YMS 1\NS lJ ,\SU C1\ !\ I) P Ct\ lZI CD1 ECOW 1\S FP,\ i"t\PS r:sNs FLiN \ ]uL I\U LAS II' l.F!\C .. : L.FRD MFDP MoA MoC I " H ... '. i:i Analytical Service Unit Ad111i11islrnlivc Si..:rviccs Unit < '0 111pact lllltlcr lhc Co111pn.:lii.;11sivi.; /d1·ican Agricultural Development Program ( \ :11trnl Agricullurc l{i..:searcli lnslilulc < 'oopcr.itive I kvelopllle111 Agency I •:eo110111 ic Con II nu11 it y or Wesl !\ rrican States. l •: 11 viro 11111e11I Prnteclio11 i\gc11cy h1od ,111d Agriculturl· Policy Strnlcgy 1:o()(I Set.:urity a11d Nulritio11 Survey ,,.nrn1ers lJ11io11 of Liberia ( 10 VCl'lllll L.: lll or l ,iht: ria lt1spectio11 Services lJnit. Liberia J\gric.:ullurc Sector Investment Program Libcri,1 1:erlilizer Advisory Committee Liberia 1:erlili ·1.er Regulatory Division Mi11islry ol' Fi1w11t.:e and Development planning Ministry ol' Agriculture Minislry ol' Commercc and Industry Nali onal h :rtili zer ( 'ounci l 8 , .::. USAID/FED WAFP WRTCAF DEFINITIONS United States Agency for International Development/Food and Enterprise Development West African Fertilizer Program William R. Tolbert Jr. College of Agriculture and Forestry "Analysis" means the percentage composition of a fertilizer product expressed in terms required anc permitted in the ECOW AS region; "Analytical Manual" or Fertilizer Analytical Manual" means the compendium of provisions describin1 the modalities and procedures for carrying out the m1alys is of feiiilizers under this Act; "Appellate Authority" means the highest administrative enforcement authority in the fertilizer regulator system in Liberia; "Bio-solid" means any fertilizer resulting from the treatment of dornestic sewage; I "Brand" means any term, design, or trademark used in connection with one or several grades of fertilize1 "Bulk" refers to any fe1iilizer delivered to the purchaser either in solid or liquid state in a non-packag fo rm to which a label cannot be pasted; "Commission" means the ECOW AS Commission; "Competent Authority "means an authority identified and appointed under this Act to exercise powet delegated by some of its provisions; "Complex Fertilizer" means any fertilizer having at least two primary plant nutrients such as OAP an1 NPK obtained by chemical reaction; "Dealer" or "Agro-dealer" or "Distributor" means any person who is authorized to carry on the busine~ of selling fertilizers to the farmers in wholesale or retail, including a manufacturer and an importer; "Division" means the Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division "ECO\VAS" means the Economic Community of West African States; "Fertilizer" means any substance which is intended to be used as a nutrient(s) source to the crops fc increasing agricultural production; "Fertilizer Blend" means any fertilizer derived from dry mixing of granule or prills or chips, withm chemical reaction, to produce a multi-nutrient fertilizer of a required nutrient analysis; "Fertilizer Inspector" or "Inspector" means any person appointed or designated and notified under tr Act to draw official samples of fertilizers, to get their quality tested in a laboratory identified for tt purpose, to inspect the fertilizer records being maintained by manufacturers, importers and distributo1 and to launch prosecution against the violators of any of the provisions of the this Act; "Grade of Fertilizers" means any combination of nutrients specified in a fertilizer in whole numbers a in the same terms, order, and percentages as in the guaranteed analysis such as NPK 15-15-15 or NP 2 20-0. "Guaranteed Analysis" means the minimum percentage of all plant nutrients claimed on the lab "Importer" means any person or a body who is duly authorized to import fertilizers into Liberia accordance with the legal provisions which are in force in the country; 9 I i ,§ " lns pcc lio11 Mu111111l" or "Fertilizer Inspection Manual" means the compendium of provisions describing 1hc 111odalities and procedures for carrying out the inspection and quality control of fertilizers under the th is /\cl : "Label" 111ea11s (I) any legend, word, mark, symbol, or design applied or attached to, included in, belong in g to, or accompanying any fertilizer, supplement, or container; or (2) any advertisements, broc hures , poslcrs; or (3) any television, radio, internet announcements used in promoting the sale of fc n ik1cr: •• Laho ra t ory" 111l.:a11s any krlilizer analysis foci lily identi lied or established in Liberia and notified under th is /\cl !tir cal'!'yi11g out lertilizcr analysis as per tht: methods specified in the Liberia Fertilizer Analytical !'vi:rnu al. "Liccnsl'" 111 ca11s !lit: olfo.: ial document authorizing a person to sell fertilizer; " Liccm l' l' " 111c1111s any perso11 who has obtained a license authorizing him to sell fe1iilizers, as prescribed in th is /\e t: " Licc11si11g Authority" 1nea11s the appropriate authority in a Member State designated for gnmting a liccnsc l'or sl'.lli11g rGrtili1.cr; ·'Liq uid l<'t'l'llli:t.cr" means any lluid in which the plant nutrients are in true solution; ·'M a1111fud11rcr" tllL'.illlS any pen;on or a body who is duly authorized in Liberia tq produce fertilizers in accordu11cc witli tlt0 legal provisirn1s, wlticlt 111\J ill l<.m.:u in the country; ' " Mc111hcr St nit" 111L~:t11s uny or tlte co1111tries ill West i\l'rica which are members ofECOWAS; " t\fo.:ro1111trlc11l" 1llca11s any or tlte followi11g 11utriu11ts that is essential for the normal growth of plants alld tl1 ;11 11111 tlL'L'd lo be added to thu growth medium: boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, rnoly bd \.·1 11 11\l , sodiu111 ilttd l',i11c: " I 1li 11is( ('r" tlll'i111s Mi11ister in clrnrgl! or /\gricultun.:; .. i\-li 11 ist ry" 111 Li1111.~ Mi11istry i11 clt111gc ol' /\griculturc; .. 1at ural Orgauk l1\•rtlll:,,l1r" 111ea11s II krtilizer (krived from non-synthetic organic material including sewagl· s l11 d1-1.v , ;i11i11111I 111111111n;s, plnnt rcsidues, ltousdwld refuse, and agro-industrial waste which is prodl1n:d I 111 (l \t gli t!t e prnccss ul' dryillg, cuokillg, co111posling, chopping, grinding, fermenting, or other mct li ods .1 11 d 111 11kt-.~ 11 dccl11nitiu11 ul· 1111tric11t value 011 the label. Such fertilizer shall not be mixed for sale with sy11i l1~·11v 111 :1lni:tl ( l t clltlll )'.L:d i11 u11y plt ysic11I or chemical manner; .. '1 11t r il' 11! ( ·011tt•11t" 111l'1111s tltc pl•,rcc11l11gc or a plant food in ferti lizer that is recognized as essential for pl ant grn wllt :1 11d 11s dclern1i11cd li y lulioiatory a1111lysis; " O ffit:ia l Sa111pk" 111L·u11s a11y sn1nple or 1'1.1rtilil'.er taken by an authorized fertilizer Inspector. " Pc rsou " 11 1c 1111s 1111y i11dividl1id, purl11crship, association, firm, or corporation; ·· Prima ry N11lrlt•11I" 1nea11s 1111y pl1111t foods such as Nitrogen (N); available phosphoric acid (P 20 5) or phospltmus (P); 1111d soluble pot11slt (KiO) or potassium (K); "Scrn ndary N11trlcul" 1ne11ns a11y of' the lt)llowing nutrients that is essential for the normal growth of pla nts and llt :i t 1n11y Hd(kd to tlte growth nwdium: calcium, magnesium, and sulfur; "S ingle N11trh.•11t Fcrtill:t.cr" 111cans 1111y fortilizer having one primary plant nutrient such as Urea , \rnmo 11 iu1t1 Sul fi1k, Superpltospilllle, M uriate of' Potash and Sulfate of Potash· ' ··To lcn,111ce' ' 111rnns .thc pcrniittcd d1.:vi11tio11 of'thc measured values of a nutrie1;t content or the bag weight below lnc vulu t:s cla11ned 011 the label or the maximum allowable heavy metal limits in a fertilizer: ':Trad e" 1 11c ,1 11 s to sell, possess 111 order to sell, offer for sale or any other disposal, supply or tran:sfer of krttl1zcr lor rn111 1t1i:1\·1,.tl pmposc, he it ror a fee or not· and '" \VA Col•'t ( ,,, 1t1ca11s tlti: Wcsl 1\l'ri c1111 Commit.tee ror'Fe1iilizer Control. ,\ rt icl c 3. P11rposl' of tills Act 10 .:: The purpose of this Act is to: a. Safeguard the interests of the farmers against nutrient deficiencies, adulteration, misleading claims, and short weight; b. Safeguard the interests of fertilizer enterprises and contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for private sector investment in the fertilizer industry; c. Protect the people, animals, plants and the environments of Liberia against the potential dangers associated with inappropriate fertilizer use; and d. Facilitate national and regional trade in fertilizers, through implementation of principles and rules mutually agreed in the ECOWAS region to dismantle trade barriers. Article 4. Scope of the Act This Act shall apply to all fertilizer-related activities, which include but not limited to: a. Activities that pertain to the registration and licensing of dealers in ferti lizer; and b. The storage and sale of fertilizer, which is locally manufactured 01; imported into Liberia. ' Article 5: Confidentiality Section l: The Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division (LFRD) shall treat every application for a certificate of registration as confidential except when ordered to release such information from an arplication: a. As ordered by a court of law; b. As requested by the Head of State of Liberia; or c. As ordered by the Legislature of the Republic of Liberia. Section 2: The LFRD shall release information under this Act only after notifying the applicant. .. Article 6: Proprietary Information Section l: The Ministry shall treat as proprietary, any information supplied by a registrant or an applicant for a certificate of registration or license. Section 2: For the purposes of the present Article, proprietary information includes: a. Tonnage reports; b. Data from a testing program for new products and specialty chemicals, analytical methods for evaluating a new product or specialty chemical; and c. Any other information considered exclusive to the registrant or applicant. Article 7: Publication of Information 11 = i ·1 he Mi nist ry shall publish annually and in a form that may be deemed proper: a. I II format ion concerning the distribution of fertilizers in Liberia by tonnage in counties and districts; u11d b. \Zcs u Its u r rnial yscs based on official samples of ferti lizcr collected by Inspectors as compared with !he guan111tccd anal yses . CIIAPTI~R H - GUIDING PRINCIPLES Art icle 8: Principle of Harmonization !'his /\et, f(>r ull intents and purposes, shall conform to the regionally agreed upon Regulations governing i fc rt ili/,er quality eontrnl in the ECOWAS region with the sole purpose of bridging the gap between Member Stutes' legislations in the field or fertilizers. i Art icle 9: l'rlndplc or Trnth-in-labcling The pr i11ci pie or t rutil-in-lnbcl i11g holds thut whatever a nuinufacturer, an impo1ier or an agro-dealer claims ll1.I, hc is sclli11g, lids lte must guarantee it. ll is therclorc essential that label claims on fertilizer packaging l>c uut hlul. ( 'u11scquc11lly, some specilic requireincnts slwll define what one can claim so that it is not 1h::ccss, 11) 1 lu rq~ist cr l'crlili ·1.cr prnducts. rtidc 10: l'rfodpk of Fn .. •c Movement of Fertilizers This; l'i slt :111 rnsu1,'. 1li:it all rcrtili/.crs distributed in Liberia, whether manufachired locally or imported, l.'omp ly wit l1 tit,· 111i1:i111u111 q11.il i1y st;111dards prescribed in the harmonized ECOWAS legal framework for knil i1.L·111:1<k a11d qu1tli1 y co11lrnl rnid I'm the purpose the organization of a regional market as described i11 the rn111 111u1 1 ngrirn llurnl polic y, llilitl' shall be free movement of fertilizers in all Member States. :\r lick 11: l'rim:ipk of l11tl~nwtlo1111l St1111llards Recognition . l11 01·dcr tu 1.· 11sl 11,· 1 lie supply u r quality l'ertil izer within the ECOW AS .region and faci litate inter and intra­ Me mber S1;1 lL'S lrndc in l"crtili,.ers, all 1uttional a11d n.lgional fertilizer legal frameworks, within the meaning ur the !\et , sltall lw a1H.: lwred rn1 intcnrntional slandurcls. Art ick 12: P1foriplc of Pnrtklpution and Information Pursua 111 lo !his !\et, llte Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division, in collaboration with all stakeholders in till' k 11i li1.cr sectm, shall make available lo the public all necessary fe11ilizer-related information and in doing so, sh all help trnin and build the awureness of these stakeholders. Such information shall also be ,iv,nlah lc to I•:( 'OW /\Sund Mc111hcr States . CIIAP'l'ER Ill - FlW.TlLIZER REGULATORY DIVISION .\rl idc IJ: Estnhlish111e11t of the Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division 12 .:: Section 1: The Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division hereinafter referred to as LFRD is hereby established to operate under the Department of Technical Services of Ministry of Agriculture. (Figure 1) Section 2: The Division shall have the following Units: a. Administrative Service Unit; b. Inspection Service Unit; and c. Analytical Service Unit. Figure 1: Organogram Liberian Fertilizer Regulatory Division (LFRD) Article 14: Functions of the Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division Section 1: The Division (LFRD) shall: a Advise the Minister on matters relating to the implementation of this Act and any other national legal instruments that are aligned to the ECOW AS fertilizer regulations; b. Be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the ECOWAS fe1tilizer regulations and any country specific legislations enacted under the ECOW AS regulations; 13 ,.. .: c. [ nspcct, sample and analyze fertilizers distributed in the country and prepare appropriate manuals (inspection and analytical manuals) and reports (inspection report, analytical report, c,ertificatc of registration, license, application for registration, stop-sale or seizure order and other reports) that arc required to enforce and administer this Act and existing regulations; d. lmposc the charges deemed necessary for services rendered; and c. Perform any other functions that are required for generally carrying out the purpose 2nd provisions ol'th is /\et. Sec tion 2: The Liberia Fertilizer Regulatory Division shall advise the Minister to designate analytical labora to ries, which shall be responsible for analyzing official fertilizer samples collected by the Inspection Scrvice lJ 11it. .\r tid c 15: The Administrative Service Unit (ASlJ) Section I: Tlk'. Administrative Service Unit shall be responsible for administrative activities 2.nd financial nut te rs, i11 cl udi 11g but not limited to: a. IZcgisLralio11 and licensing or rcrlili/',cr 111anul:1clurers, importers and dealers; b. I) '.l'ir ie11cy repo rts a11d penalty payrrwnls; c. ( 'oll ccti on or i11spc<.:tio11 foes; d . .' t1 spL:11siu11 a11d <.: nncellation or eertilic,1te or registration and licenses; and c. lludgcl. Sel't. 011 l: 'l'ilL: 1\d111i11i slrnlive Service lJ11i1 sltoll bL: headed by the Fertilizer Regulatory Administrator c111d sl\ ;11! i> L'. co11 1pris1:d or adrnini sl rati ve staff. lltc 11u1nbcr of which will be determined by the Minister bas1.~d 01 1 I IL'l'( i. . st iu11 .\: The 1·\· nilizer l{egulalory !\d111i11istrnlor shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration :%I 11 1: 11.1gL·11 1e11 l 01 · tile Liberia Fertilizer l{cgulalury Division. Scct1u11 4: Th~~ M i11ister shall appoin t the sl;tlT or the U11il based upon qualification and expe11ise. The l11spcctio11 Scrvil't• Unit (ISU) ~cctiu 11 I: The l11spcctio11 Scrvicu Unit :,;hall be responsible for: :t. Inspecting k rtiliz0rs a11d f'crlilizer reco rds ; b Sa111 pli 11 g or l'crlilizer; and l'. f>e rfo11 ni11 g ol!lcr eurorec111e11t 111allcrs as stated in the ECOWAS fertilizer regulations and any cou ntry spee d 1c lcg1slat1 ve 111stru111e11ts enacted under the ECOWAS regulations. Se1.'tiu 11 2: The l11spedio11 Service Unit shall be headed by a Chieflnspector and shall be comprised of 111spcctms , the number and geogrnphic location of which will be <letem1ined by the Mirristf.r based on t11 :..pc1.·tw11 needs. ~c1.·t1un 3: The Minister shall appoint lhc staff of the Unit based upon qualification and expertise .. 14 Article 17: The Analytical Services Unit (AnSU)-Laboratories Section 1: The Minister shall designate analytical laboratories, which shall be responsible for: a. Receiving and documenting receipt of official fertilizer samples from the Inspection Service Unit; b. Preparing and analyzing official samples; and c. Reporting results of analysis to the Administrative Service Unit. Article 18: Establishment of the National Fertilizer Council (NFC) A National Fertilizer Council hereinafter referred to as NFC is hereby established to work closely with, as per ECOWAS Regulation C/REG.13/12/12, the West Africa Committee for Fertilizer Control hereinafter referred to as WACoFeC which shall be set up to facilitate, on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission , the implementation of the regional Regulations by Member States . Article 19: Functions of the National Fertilizer Counc·1 Section 1: The functions of the Council are to: a. Advise the Minister on policies for development of fertili zer manufacture, inspection, sampling, analysis and marketing; b. Monitor the supply of fertilizers to ensure fertilizer security in the country; c. Develop procedures for registration and licensing of fertilizer producers, importers, and dealers; d. Prescribe standards for fertilizer quality contro l that are aligned to relevant ECOW AS regulations; c. Recommend to the Minister a fee for: 1. Licensing for sale of fertilizers; 11. Renewal of certificate of registration for manufacture and importation of fertilizers and of license for sale of fertilizers; 111. Inspection of fertilizers; and 1v. Analysis of fertilizer samples. f. Represent the Government of Liberia and participate in the W ACoFeC meetings as an official national body for fertilizer control; and g. Perform other functions that are specified under this Act and that are assigned by the Minister. Article 20: Composition of the National Fertilizer Council Section 1: The National Fertilizer Council of Liberia shall comprise of: a. The Minister or the representative of the Minister who shal l be the chairperson; b. The Deputy Minister, Department of Technical Services of the Ministry; 15 p L J!" r ,~ ,,; ll!. = 21 C. d. c. r. The Director-General of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARl) or the represcntutivc not below the rank of Director; One representative of fertilizer manufacturers and importers; One technically relevant representative of the Farmers' Union (FUN) of Liberia; and The Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the representative not below the rank of Director. ~l·ctton 2: The members of the Council shall be appointed by the President of Liberia. ~ rti clc 2 l : Tenure of Memhers of the National Fertilizer Council ~ ii :,ect ion l : J\ member of the Council shall hold office for a period of not more than four years .111d is el igib le fo r re-appointment but a member shall not be appointed for more than two terms. ~ection 2: J\ member of the Counci l may at any time resign from office in writing addressed to the President through the Minister. S..:c tio11 J: J\ member of the Counci l other than the chairperson who is absent from three consecutive meetings or the Counci l without sufficient cause ceases to be a member of the Council. Scc tion 4: The President may by letter addressed to a member revoke the app::i intment of that member. :Scct1011 5: Where a member of the Council is for sufficient reason, unable to act as a member, the Minister ,.;ii al I (klc rn iine whether the inability would result in the declaration of a vacancy. :-,,ccuo 11 (J: \,\/ here there is a vacancy, the Minister shall noti fy the President of the vacancy and the i'r-:-,1dcnl slwl l appoint a person to fill the vacancy. Artidc 22: Meetings of the National Fertilizer Council S-:ction l: Tlie Council shall meet at least once every three months for the dispatch of business at the times and places determined by the chairperson. Scc ti rn 2: The chairperson shall at the request in writing of not less than one third of the membership of the Co uncil convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council at a place and time dete1mined by the chairperson. Section 3: The quornm at a meeting of the Counci l is four members of the Cmmcil or a greater number lk'tc:rmincd by the Council in respect of an important matter. ::-,,xrion ~i : 'l~hc chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Council and in the absence of the chairperson, :t 1111.'.mbcr ol the Counc tl elected by the members present from among their number shall preside. S,:ctiun 5: Matters befo re t~e Council shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting ,111d 111 the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote. 16 Section 6: The Council may co-opt a person to attend a Council meeting but that person shall not vote on a matter for decision at the meeting. Article 23: Disclosure oflnterest Section 1: A member of the Council who has an interest in a matter for consideration: a. Shall disclose the nature of the interest and the disclosure shall fonn part of the record of the consideration of the matter; and b. Shall not participate in the deliberations of the Counci l in respect of that matter. Section 2: A member ceases to be a member of the Council, if that member has an interest in a matter before the Council and a. Fails to disclose that interest, or b. Participates in the deliberations of the matter. Article 24: Establishment of Committees Section 1: The Council may establish Committees consisting of members of the Council or non-members or both to perform a function except that a Committee consisting entire! y o f non-members may only advise the Council. Section 2: Section l under Article 23 applies to members of the Committees. Article 25: Allowances Members of the Council and members of a Committee of the Council as well as co-opted members shall be paid allowances approved by the Minister in consultation with the Minister responsible for Finance. Article 26: Establishment of the Liberia Fertilizer Advisory Committee (LFAC) The Liberia Fetiilizer Advisory Committee hereinafter referred to as LF AC is hereby established under thi s Act as a committee of the Council. Article 27: Functions of the Liberia Fertilizer Advisory Committee The Liberia Fertilizer Advisory Committee shall be responsible for advising and makinf recommendations to the National Fertilizer Council on all matters including: a. Inspection and enforcement of the provisions of this Act; b. The annual budget; c. Necessary fees to provide adequate inspection services in respect of fertilizers; and 17 fu ,... ry q d. ., 11 v :1ddi t1 u11 ,tl or n.:vised regulations required to accoll1pli sh the obj ective of the L'.COW /\S l{cgul:1t iw1 s. rti clc 28 : Composition of the Liberia Fertilizer Advisory Committee :--; cc t1 011 I: l li e l.ihnia l; t.: rtili zer Advisory Committee shall co111prisc of: :1. Til l· I )c pul y M i11i stcr 01· the Techni cal Services w ho wil l serve as chairperson of the Con1111ittcc ; h. l \1l· \ lc:1d til" til t.: or Crop Rt.:source Di vis ion of the Technical Services; l'.. A 1c 111c:m1L1ti vt.: o r tht.: Central Agri cultural Research Institute (CARI); d. ·1 wt1 rcprl:srn l.1li vcs from the ferti lizer private sector or private sector association; c. 1\ rl· prl'.srnl:1 li ve of the organization under w hi ch the selected analytical laboratory rcsidcs; 1·. ;\ 1l·111l'Sl'11(;1live ul' the l vironmcntal Prntt.:cl ion A gency; g. 1\ 1 v11rl ·srnl: 1ti vc or the Un ivers i t ies in I ,ihcria wi lh programs/colleges relevant to subj~ct 111:1lkr ;111d l' \llll c.x l ; h. ;\ rt ·11rl 'Sl·11L1l ivc 01·1he Minister nr Just ice (MO.I) a11d i\llorney-General; 1. ,\ 1 t·11 1l 'Sl·111:1tive rrorn the Farmers' Union (FlJN) or Liberia; and .I ' l 'llt· 1:nt ili zn \Zegulatory i\dmini slra lor or !he Division who will serve as secretary ur the ( • ( t I l \II \I ( ( t'l' S,·cti u11 .' ll1 l · i\11 i11is tcr shall ,1rroi11t all the 11H.:1nht.:rs or I ,1 .';\ C on proposi tion of the conce rned bod ies. a S,·(l 1u1 1 I .- ;1l· l1 IIIL'lllbcr shal l be identili ed hy lil t.: co 11 cern cd body. ~ .:r A rt icle 2'): l\kl'li11gs of the Liberia Fertili1.er Advisory Cornmittce .'~cct1u11 I lit· ( 'u1 11111itlcc slwl \ meet ,it kasl rn1 cc cvny tl1rce rnonlhs for the dispatch of bus iness at the t1n1t.:s :111d 11 1 tl1 t· pl:1cL·s dek11 11i11cd by lhc cliairpcrso11. Sc,.-tiu 11 ! 1·11L· d1;1 i1 pcrsu 11 slwll , al lhL: request i11 w riting of not less than one-third of the membersltip or thL' ( 'u11111 11l kl· , co11 vc11e ;m ex trnordi11,1ry n1ect i11 g or the Committee at the place and time detennirn.:d liy tliL' cl1:1i 11w 1su11 Scclio11 .\ Tl1 1. • qumu111 ,it a 111 ecl i11g ol' tlte ( ·01n111illee is si x members or a greater number determined by tlic L'o111 111illl'l' Ill re spect or a n i111rurta11t 1n,1ttci-. SL't.: tiu11 -I : Ilic cli,,irpt.:rson shall preside ,1 ! 111 ce ti11gs of the Commillee and in the absence or the clw irpcrs(111 ,1 111 c11 1hcr or the Cornmillee elected by the members present from among their number shall prc:mlc . Scct1011) 1YL1tlc rs bcl'ore th e Committt.:t.: shall he decided by a majority of the members present by voting :llld, rn tlw t.:vc11l or a1 1 equality or votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote . . ,,:c ti011 (-,: lh : C rnrnn iltcc may co-opt a person to attend a Committee meeting but that person shall not '.U\c un a matter lur decision at the meeting. \.rtide JO: luspcction, Sa mpling and Analysis by the Division 18 Section l: It shall be the responsibility of the Division to sample, inspect, make laborato ry analyses of, and te. t fe rtilize s that arc di stributed in Liberia at any time and place to such an extent it may deem necessary to dete1minc whether such fertilizers are in compliance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Regulat ion C/REG.13/ 12/ 12 and its associated implementing regulations as well as this Act. Section 2: The Inspectors that are responsible for the enforcement of the provisions herein stipulated shall be appointed by the Minister. Section 3: The Inspector shall be vested with the power to enter any premises where fertilizer is manufactured, stored or distributed in order to have access to the fertili zer and feii ilizer records subject to provis ions of this Act. ,' ecti on 4: On entering the premises, an Inspector shall produce official identification to the person in charge of that premises. Section 5: The c-wner or person in charge of the premises shall: a. Give the Inspector all reasonable ass istance to enable the Inspector to cany out his/her duties; and b. Furnish the Inspector with any information that the Inspector may require with respect to the admin istration of thi s Act. Section 6: The Inspector shall at all times , while carrying out his/her functions, respect the basic human rights of others. :No provision herein shall indemnify the fn spcctor if he vio lates the ri ghts of persons on whose premises an inspecti on is being canied out. r ticle 31: Methods of Inspection, Sampling and Analysis of Fertilizer Section 1: The Minister shal !' approve the methods of inspection, sampl ing, sample preparation, and analys is of fertilizer as set forth in the Liberia Fertilizer Inspection Manual and the Liberia Fertilizer Analytical Manu al that arc adapted from the ECOW AS Fertilizer Inspection Manual and the ECOWAS Fert ilizer Analysis Manual, respectively. ...,ection 2: The Minister may by legislative instrument adopt other methods in respect of which improved applicability has been demonstrated. Section 3: The chairperson of the National Fe1iilizer Council shall communicate to the West Africa Committee for Fertili zer Control such appropriate additional methods fo r harmonization purposes. Section 4: The Minister shall authorize a laboratory to perform official analyses on official samples. Section 5: The Division, in determining for administrative purposes whether any fc1ti li zer contains less plant nutrients than stated on the label, shall be guided solely by the offic ial samples as defined in this Act or any subsequent regulations adopted fo r the implementation thereof. 19 f . I i .,· I I I I I I I I I I I I I ik i ,1..· -: tllltt h ! Ill' I J1v 1si() tl sha ll di stribute the results of th<.: offic ial laboratory analyses of fertilizers and r poniuns ol \llliu:il s: 1111pks as provided by this Act. ' :>-:ct io i1 7: l l pt111 :111: il ys is ol ·o!Ticial fertilizer samples, the Di v ision sllall issue to the concerned registrant ,1 rcpu 1·t w 1lli111 s1\ ty ((10) da ys li·om the date the oflicial s;unplcs were taken, indicating the analytical 1-.;:s ults r1l11n s: 11 1q 1ks th:11 wcrL: lt1u11d lob<.: deficient i11 pla11l 11ulrie11t(s) . Scc1 1u11 ;--;• Till· I l1 v is10 11 sl1:tll 1ct;1i11 o l'li <.: ial sarnpl<.:s delennincd to be deficient in plant nu1rie11l(s) fur a I 111 i11im11 111 (I \ (11\L' lt1111drcd :11 1d cir,lit y ( I :-- o) d:1ys frrnn the dale or the issuance of a defici ency report. ~ ~ I rtirk.12: I 11 sp crt iou l'rorcd111'l' \ cclllll l :1. l11l u1111 t l1 ,· ll\V ll l' I 11!' till' k rlili 'f.l'I' olllil' jlllll)llSl'. ro r t:1kin g the samp le; I, I >1, 11k 1! 1,· ·,: 111q1 k i11to t l1rL'l' p:1 1t s :l11d 111dic:1tL· t111 lltG s:1111ples as follows: II Ill 1!1 t· :, ,111 q1k 0 1· 111 (' (l\V ll lT : 111, · 11 \. \l\l :::1111pk, :111d 1! 11· ,l1q1 i1 l ·:1k :;: 1111p k : :111d l' . '." .11 ,·. 1, 11 :, .11 1q1k 111 :1 111 :11111 cr llt: 11 ii L·:1 1111ul lie 01H; 11cd without breaking the seal. Scc till1 1 ' 111,· l11 :;11n 1,1 1 :111d llw 11 c1 ul lk li..· 11i!i 'f.L: r slt:t!I sign each of the sealed samples . '.':l 1..-cl 1u11 \ 11 1,· l1qwl·1,,1 sl1:ill · " · I kl 1, ,·1 111 , :.1·:1lcd s:1111p k l;1kL·11 l'rn1 11 the ow11cr hack to the owner; 11 l-<1111 ;11d 1!1 ,· 111 :1111 ,-; :111 1pk lo tli l· Lt!>m;1lory des ig11 <1t<.:d by the tv!inister under section (2) of Article 1-1 ,\I HI :\1 I ll k I / o r lk 11,is /\ c l : ;11HI L' . I kl I I \' I 1!11· d1 q1l 11·;1k s;11npk {() ttt l'. I k :1d or the Division. \ cL·t1u11 -I \\ 'l 1l·11 :111 l11 spl·c lu1 is or 1i1 L· opi11io11 1h ;1 t the division of the sample may interfere with analysis, 1 il l· 111:,pL·,·111 1 ::11 :il l (ii11:1 i1 1 1!trL.·l· u1 1opL·11cd p;1ck:1 gcs ;111d process the sample as i f they w ere three parts into \\ !1:cl1 tl1L' -.,; 11 1q1k 1s 1cqui 1nl lo lw tli v itkd . '.-L·l·t 1l111 '· 11 1, · I >1 v 1:;1(1 tt sl1:ill i111111cdi:1kl y n: lc:1s<.: a fert ilizer and remove the ho ld order or tao- if the b> L1bm:1tu1 \ lkk1111i 11c :; :ilk1 1 li e ;111:t! ys is ili:it til e krt il izer meets the requirements specified in this Act. SLTtiu11 (, W l1 L·1 t · il1 L: l:dJm;i tmy ddcn11i11es arter the analysi s that the ferti lizer does not m eet the tu1u in.:1m:1lls spL·c 11'1L·d lt cici11 , the l)i v ision sha ll: ., r..;., I l '. 1ltl til e lc1t il i·1cr u11til tli G owner of the fertili zer complies with all the requirements of this Act allLT wl1 1c l1 Ilic Ui v ision shall release the fertilizer to the owner- or , b Issue ;111 tll dcr ltlr t li e di sposa l or the fertilizer in a manner determined by the Minister. 20 Section 7: The owner or the fenil izer that does not meet the requirements specified herein may appeal in writi ng within fifteen ( 15) days after receipt of the notice of the results of the analysis. Section 8: The Division shall , within fourteen (14) days after the receipt of an appeal, forward the ctup lic~ce sample of the fertilizer to a referee laboratory and the cost of analysis shall be borne by the appell ant. Section 9: Any person who is not satisfied with the result of an analys is of a referee laboratory may within one (1) month after being in formed of the decision, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction within the Repub lic of Liberia . Article 33: Certificate or Analysis Section 1: Upon analysis or an official fertilizer sample, the Division shall issue to the applicant within thirty (30) days after the date the official sample was first taken, a laboratory analysis report presenting the rcsu lts fro m the sample that was taken and a certificate of anaiys is. Sect ion 2: In court proceedings under the under this act, the production of a c~rtificatc of analysis, signed by the Head of the laboratory stJting the results of any analyses is prima fac ie evidence that the official sample was: a. Taken from the lot that i;, described in the inspection report; b. Taken according to the methods described; and c. Analyzed by the method s prescribed. Article 34: Fertilizer Qualit:' Control The Ge vernment, through the .Ylinister has adopted the Libe1ia Fertilizer Inspection Manual and the Liberia Fertilizer A1rnlyti cal Ma1ual in accordance with the ECOWAS Regulations. Section 1: The Liberia Fertilizer Inspection Manual describes the modalities and procedures for fertilizer inspec ion in Liberia, which incl udes: a. The ferti lizer sampl ing methods; b. The fertili zer inspection procedures; and c. The required types of Proforma to be used in fertili zer business and inspection. Section 2: The Liberia Fertilizer Analytical Manual describes the modalities and procedures for fertilizer analysis in Liberia, which includes: a. The methods for receipt and preparation of the official fertilizer samples; b. The methods of analysis of the official fe1iilizcr samples; c. The types oflabora tory am..lysis required for fertilizer samples; and d. The required types of Proforma to be used in fcrti lizer analysis. 21 I 2 Section 3 The above manuals shall constitute the official tools for fertilizer inspection, sa111pli111•. a11d analys is i11 l,ibcria 5 :-,cct io11 4 These manuals shall be updated and modified from time to time in accordancl: with l,cst practices preva ilin g in the industry and in line the best interest of member-states of ECOWAS. I i a1 ... :\. rt iclc J S: Import and l~xport Regimes Scctio11 1 • Witliuul prejudice to Liberia regulations on foreign trade, the import aud export ol' krtili1.crs ,ll,tll be stilij ccl tu prio r approva '. by the Liberia Fertilizer Regula tory Division. :-:;cc ti( >11 > 1\ 11 i!llpu rter ur exporter shall provide to the Division all the information required on tile li,1111s cksi1 c1 H:d hy 1i1L· Di vis ion for that purpose, which include: cl. N: 1III L' dli(I address of the importer or exporter; h 1 :1111,: :11 1d address or consignee; ,· Type oi' lt.:rt ili zer; d. ()11: 111l ily or i'crtili zer; c. ( ·(n 11111·y ol' ori gin ; I. lk Ll:i1cd poi11tof'ex it; ::'- · ( .(ll ll ilry or ,kstination; and 11. 1\11 y ut l1 cr i1ilo rmation that the Division ma y require. :-iccl1 011 .\: 1\ person not registered may import a lc rlilize r of any type for personal use if at tlw Li111 L: or 1111po rL1li(111 ul such l'crtili zer, that person makes a declaration in tripl icate to the head or the l.ilicri ;1 Fl' rt ili'1,c1 l{cgu l:1lory Division or a person authorized by lhe Division, which states that: ;1. Tl1c krt ilizcr is for persona l use; li . 'J' l1c k rtilizer is to be used fo r expcri111cntal purposes only; or L. Tltc disposal of the fertili zer is subject to the prior approval by the Minister. "icd 1011 -L '!'lie Di vision shall forward two co pies or tlw declaration to the Minister. :-:icL·t1u 11 ): ;\ k rtili zcr manufactured locall y may be exported. llcgis tration of Manufacturers and Importers of ljcrtilizcr i l Scct itrn I: 1\ 11 y person who intends to manufacture or import fertilizer into Liberia shall do so under and ill acumL1ncc with the te1ms and conditions of a certificate of registration granted by the Division. Sccriou 2: An application for a certificate of registration shall include: a. The name, telephone number(s) and address of the applicant; b. '!:he name. and address of each of the applicant's distribution points in Liberia; c. I he dcscnptton of the business premises of the applicant; 22 d. Evidence of business registration; and e. Other information that the Division may require. Section 3: An appl tcant shall inform the Division in writing of any additional distribution points establi shed after the issuance of a certificate of registration. Section 4: The Division shall give notice of the receipt of the app lication to the applicant as set out in the prescribed Form within four teen (14) days from the date of receipt of the appli cation. Section 5: The Div:sion shal I grant a ce1tificate of registration within thirty (30) days of the receipt of a completed application to the applicant. Section 6: A manufacturer or importer of fertilizer shall display the certificate of registration issued under Section (1) of this Article at che business premises of that manufacturer or importer in a conspicuous place accessible to the public. Section 7: Where the applicant does not satisfy the criteria for the issuance of a certificate of registration, the Division shall, within thirty (30) days, give notice of the refusal to issue the ce1tificate to the applicant and state the reasons for the refusal. Section 8: In the event the Di vision fails to issue a certificate of registration within the prescribed time period and the applicant has valid documentation (for example, a copy of notarized completed application fonn and a receipt for the fee payment) to show that a proper application has been submitted to the . Divis ion, the applicant may begin business (manufacturing or importation of fertilizers) while awaiting receipt of a certificate of registration from the Division. Article 37: License to Distribute or Retail F-crtilizcr Section 1: Any person who carries out or intends to cany out the business of distributing or retailing ferti lizer may apply to the Divi sion for a license to distribute fertili zer or engage in the retail of fertilizer by use of the prescribed Form that shall be set out by the Division. Section 2: An application for a license shall specify: a. The name, telephone number and address of the applicant; b. The name and address of the distribution points of the applicant; c. The description of the business premises of the applicant; cl. Evidence of regis tration of business; and e. Other infonnation that the Division may determine. Section 3: The Division shall give notice of receipt of the application to the applicant as set out ir prescribed Form within fourteen (14) days from the da te of receipt of the application. Section 4: Where the Division is satisfied that the applicant meets the criteria for the issuance of a licer the Division shall, within thirty (30) days after the date of giving notice of the receipt of the applicati grant the applicant a license as set out under Section ( 1) of the present Article. 23 Sccli ( 111 'i W l1 l ·1 l · 1 li e ,1ppl icant docs not satis fy the criteria for the issuance of a license, the Division shall, w it!ii 11 1l 1i11 y ( \(l) d;1ys, g ive notice of the refusal to issue the license to the applicant as set out in a prcscrihn l l·(H111 :111d slate reasons for the refusal. Scct iu11 <i: W hl·1v Ille Di v ision fail s to issue a li cense to the applicant within thirty (30) <lays after receipt ur tile :q1pl1 L:1l i(l 11 , tile applicaul may begin the business of distribution or retail of fe1iilizer. SL·ctiu11 7 /\ 11 y pcrsrn1 issued with a li cense in accordan ce with this Act shall display the license at the busi 11 c:-s p1rn1i '.;L·s (11· that pcrso 11 111 ,1 crn1 spicuous place accessib le to the public. Ar til'l t· .IX : l'rnressi11g ol' Application Sc\: !1 (111 ii J;§ ;1. 1\1 k1H1wkdgL: receipt ollhc appli caliu11 !or rcgislralion or licens ing; and 11 . W 1Ili111 :1 SJH"l'i li cd period or 11ol 111orc 1'1 :111 six. ly ((10) days after rece ipt oftt1e app lication, inform iii 1l 11· :qiJil l\ :1 111 i11 w rili11 g ur Ilic dcc isio1 1. !! I I af Sl'Li 1u11 ' 111,· ['vi 11 11stcr skill rcgistL: 1 1l1 L' :1pplicanl wilc11 sati sfied that the ferti l izer in respect of which iii ,: :q1pl 1, .11 11 11 1 1\ 111 :1dc u1111pliL·s w ilh provisi()llS oltilis /\cl. '-;cc t1()11 I l1v 1!111i sll' r I11 :1y rL: l't1 sc lll g1;111 l :111 ;1pplicalion when there are compelling reasons founded 011 tL·l· l1111(·:1I (11 \l'(111(1 111 Ic grnu1Hl s, 11 ,ilin11 ;d sL:rnrily, public safety or other r easonable justification for du i1i g s(I :Sc...:11 (11 1 I \V l1n(· Ill\: i\!li1 11 sln rc l11 scs [() gr:111I ;111 app li cati on, the reason shall be communicated to the ,1ppl1,.11il w 1ll1111 l111 11 l\:\'ll ( 1·1) d:1ys ,ll 'tl- 1 lit l' dcc 1siu11. Sl'l'l io1 1 ·, 1\ 11 v 11 L·1 .soI1 w l1 osl· ,1ppl ic: 11iu1 1 rm rL·gisl ralio11 is rcl'usccl may apply to the Minister for a review ul· ll ll' dn·1s 11111. .\t tirk .11>: l{l'gist rat ion l <' ees Sl:ct 1u11 I: 1\1 1 ;1p pl1c; 111u11 !( ll li1l·- gr,111 l ol ;1 ClTti!'icalc or registration to manufacture or import fe1iilizer :--1rnll liv :1,, (1111p;111iL·d w ilh tli L· requ ired IL:l: :is dclcnnincd by the Council and approved by the Minister. Sl·t: 111111 1: 1\ 11 :q1pli c:1 1io11 1(11 tl1L: gr;uil ul ,1 li cense lo distribute or retail fertilizer shall be accompanied with till' ll'lJllircd kc ;1 s ddc11ni11 L'.d by ( 'ou11cil a11d approved by the Minister. :i ,'ct iu11 I Tl1 c I )i v1s iu11 skill publi sl1 ;11111ually, in the Gazette and in a newspaper of national circulation, rlic ,1ppl1 c;il i lc Ice i(> r th e gra11t o!' ,1 certificate of registration or license to engage in the business of 111;1 nul~1c1uri 11 g m i1llporlatio11 or di stribulirn1 of fertilizer. ':i,·c1iu 11 .\ 1\ 11 :1pp~ica11l w liosc ;1pplicat ion for the grant of a certificate of registration or license to engage lll the bUSl l\ CSS ul 111a11ulaclu'.·111 g OJ' importation or distribution of fertili zer has been refused by the l)1v1s 1011 Is IH 11 c11t1tkd (.() a rcl u11d of the application fee. 24 Article 40: Grounds for Refusal to Issue a Certificate of Registration Sectio:1 l: The Division shall not issue a certificate of registration to a 1 appl icant, where a. The applicant has been convicted of an offence under the this Act within the three (3) years preceding the date of making the application; b. business partners of the applicant include a person who has been convicted of an offence under the this Act; c. The applicant has been convicted of an offence under the this Act and that person intends to register a new business with another name; d. The· applicant fai ls to accompany the application with the registration fee; c. The application is incomplete; or f. The applicant fai ls to provide the infonnation required under Articles 36 and 37. Article 41: Issuance and Renewal of a Certificate of Registration or License Section I: A certificate of registration and/or license granted to a manufacturer or importer or distributor of fertilizer shall be: a. Valid for a period of three (3) vears from the date of issuance; and b. Renewab le every three (3) yea:s at the holder 's request and upon the payment of the renewal fees. Section 2: A grace period of fi fteen ( 15) days shall be allowed fo r delayed renewal of a certificate of registration or license without payment oflate fee. Section 3: Failure to renew after fifteen (15) days shall attract payment of late fees. Article 42: Non-transferability of Registration A certificate of registration or license granted to a manufacturer, importer or distributor of fcii ilizer is not transferable. Article 43: Fertilizer Register Section l: The Ministry shall keep a Fertilizer Register in which shall be recorded: a. The types of fertilizer manufactured in Liberia or imported into the country; b. The names, addresses, principal places of business and other particulars of entities registered as dealers in fortilizers; and c. Any other information that the Minister on the advice of the Council considers relevant and necessary for fertilizer manufacture, importation or distribution. Article 44: Suspension or Revocation of a Certificate of Registration or License 25 r 1 l'l1c D 1v is1tJ11 I11 ,I y suspe11d or revoke a certificate of registration or license issued under Articles 3(> and 37 wlwi Ili c pcrsu ll is conv1ctcd by a court for an offence committed under Anicle 40 of the this Act w ill 1in til e v,ilidit y peri od of the certifi cate or license. A rticlc--lS: ( ;rievancc Proccclurc Scc tH J11 I ;\ p,:rso I1 aggrieved by a dec ision o f the Division in relation to the issuance of a certificate of rcg ist1,1 ti u1 1 m I11.:l '. 11se may lodge a complaint w ith the Minister w i thin fourteen (14) days after receipt of lil [il l ' ( k C ISl ()II i, i Scll 10 11 ) Ilic M illi slcr shall on receipt 01· a co1npl ai11t, make a decision on the complaint and cu I1 1I111I11 1( ,1 1,· ilil· dec ision to the cornplai11a11t wi1ili11 tliir1 y ( W) days after receip t of the complaint. 5 :.;! !1 Scu1 (J11 i 1\11 y I1nsoI1 w ho is not satislicd will! the dcc isio11 of the Minista may, within fourteen (14) ddys ,1ill·1 lw 1111· 11 ilu 1111 cd ol'thc dccisirn1, appl y lo til e l li g li Court for a rev iew of that decision. Transport of Fertilizer ; ; ,\11v pn:, ()I1 , ,, 11(1 1r, 111 sporls lcrl ili , .cr shall rns11rL: 1!1;il Ili c krtili,.cr is appropriately handled from the point !I u l lu:1d111,1 • I ( ) 1 Ill' IH>I111 ur dest inati on so :1s I() ptl 'SL·r vc Ili c quality of the fertilizer and to ensure safety. I :\rt il'lr ,17 : W :1rt·ho11si11g and Storage or l<'erlili:t.tr i \ 11y 11,-1 :, (111 1\- IH1 slmes l'crti li zc r i11tc1 1dcd li> 1 s: 1lc 111 :1 w :ireli ousc shall ensure that: :1 lh · 11 :1 1,·lt(lllSl ' is walc1p 1uul·, tid y :11 1d we ll vrnlil;it cd; b. Ti ll 11 :11 ,·lt()t 1:,l· li :1s l'u11clio 11al hyg rn111L·krs, lire cx li11 guislicrs and thetmometers; and c. Tl1l · k 111 i1 1,·1 Is p;icked 011 p,dlcts i11 li1l'. w.i1cl1()usc tu 111 aiutain the quality of the fertilizer. :\rlicle -IS : l ,ahl'ls SL·c111>11 .·\ 111,1111il;1clt1 rn or an i1nporkr m dL': tlcr i11 lcrtilizcr shall have af=ixed on the container a label sell 11 1;·. I! ,1111 111 l k, 11 ly leg ible a1H! cu 11 spic11ous li>r111 tile following informati,)n in the English language: :1. I l1L· 1' 1.1 11!- , ()11 iy wlie 11 pri11wry 11utri c1 1ls arc cLii111ed; b. Tl 1L· 1 '.11 :11 :111kl ·d a11al ys is slati ng tile 111111111111111 pcrcL:nlagc in tem1s of content of: I ( 11.d N 11rnr l:11 (N) %, of which "o 1\1 11111u11iacal N 1trogc11 "·" N 1t1·,1[! '. N itrngell 11 " W ,1lcr-i 11 so lublc N ilroncll b 'I:, , lJrc:1 N 1lroge 11 '',;, Utl1e1 rcco g11i :;,ed and ddcrminable forms of N 1\ v;iil;ililc Phosphate (P:,05) % S() lul1lc l'ol;i sh (K ,0 ) % ( )ll 1n 1111 l riellts 0 11 elcmelltal basis % L'.. Tl1c 11 cl weight; d. T il e .~u m ccs of 11utrirnts; c1nd 26 c. The name and address of manufacturer or the re-packaging agent. Section 2: Where the sources of nutrients are shown on the label, they shall be li sted below the guaranteed , nalysis statement. Section 3: Where the chemical fonns of Nitrogen are claimed, the form(s) shall be guaranteed in the format shown and the percentages of the individual fonns shall add up to the total nitrogen percentage. Se tion 4: Where the registered person makes a claim with reference to the information that is specified on the labe l of a ferti 1 izer, other than on the nutrient guarantee, the Division may require that the registered rerson provides : a. A testing progra m conducted by an accredited research institution; and b. A laboratory procedure acceptable to the Division fo r evaluating the claims. Section 5: For packaged rroducts, the minimum info rmation required under Section ( l) of the present Article shall either: a. Appear on the front or back of the package and occupy at least one-th ird of a side of the package; or b. Be printed on a tag with minimum dimensions of eight (8) ccntirncters by twelve (12) ccntimeters and attached to the rackagc. ection 6: For bulk products, the minimum information required under this Article shall: a. Be in written or printed r orm;· b. Ac,:ompany clcl i very and be supplied to the purchaser at time of delivery; and c. Be access ible for insrection purposes . • Article 49: Packaging of Fertilizer The Minister may by legislati ve instrument adopt guidelines that stipulate the type of containers for packaging fertil izers and the manner of packaging of fertilizers in the country. Article 50: Types of Fees The Division shall propose fees for various purposes as indicated belO\v: a. Registration of fertilizer manufacturers, importers and distributors; b. Renewal of registration of fertilizer manufacturers , importers and distributors; c. Late application for renewal of certificates of registration and licenses; cl . Late submission for tonnage reporting; e. Inspection of fertilizers; f. Analysis of fertilizer samples. 27 A rticle SI: \ pcrso11 wl Hi 11 i:111ulacturcs or imports fertilizer in Liberia shall submit on fo1ms provided by the Divi sion .1 :; ;11 11-;111 111 1:il .sL1il• 1I1i..:I1I fur the reporting period, setting forth the number of tons of fertilizers that pi..:rsun has dis l 1 iliulnl dmi11g lh i..: period . ,\rt ide 52: l11spl'dio11 h·es :--,,·,·1 1(>11 I . :\ 11 1;111t1l:1clurcr m i111po rl cr or l'crtilizcr shall pay inspection fees to the Division for cvi..;ry lllll u!· li..'1 t1li 1l·1 di:;l rilH1l n l i11 l ,ihc ria . Sl·l·t 1llll .' I lw I i111 stn sl1 ;tll li y lcgis Liti vc i11sln1111rnt presc ribe t!tc inspection :ee amounts, t!tc ir p:1yI1ll:11l rn-id;il 1t1 l", ,11 1d 111 1.· ;illoc; It1011 ll i. prucccds. Sl·c\1111 1 \ lh· 111 spl·dili11 kc slt ,dl bi.: levied 11 1il y at the point or entry and at the manufacturi 11 g kvl'i li1r ti1c qu:1 11 11I \ iii k rn l Im sak 111 I ,iberia . Sl·c\ 1(1 11 I 1\11 v 1>( ·I s() II wltu produces kr1ili 1L·r i11 th e rn1111try shall not pay inspectioh fees 011 aI1 y oi' th,: 111;111t1 l-.1l"\ 11 1l ·d k1l il1 1,· r wl 11 clt Is cx porlL'd . S,·,t 1u11 ·, ,\1 1v 1w1:-; 11 II wi ll> i 11qH1rl s r:I w 111;1kri ;il s i11to I ,iberia to produce fir:.isbed fertilizer products s!ll:l1 :;Iw 111:1 !.'11 ;il :;I 1:i\l i>l· L' .\L' lllpl i'ro111 i11 s1wL· liu11 kl·s. '-i L·,·I 11,1 1 <, I lt-· ,1ll k Sl·l· ti1,11 (·\) linL·i11 ;dH1 v,·. 111s1H·c ti1111 Ices shall be paid on th~ finished fcrt ili ;r.cr prodt1l'l s n1:1 1111L1l 111 1(·( 1 11,1 111 i i " · 11 11purkd r;1w 111:1kn;tl s ~-·, 11( 111 I ,\1 1 l 11spl·,· I1 u 11 h111d is l1nd1y cs l:1lili sli cd 1111der this Act and shaL be utilized to li11 ;11 1cL: the :IdI1I 11,· :, ,ii tip· I >111 ·:1l)ll. ,I 111',j>•'< \ 11111 It-,• :; 11. I·,•,·· ., 11 :111•.(·d 1(1 1l1 L· p,·1I (1 1111 :1 11,T ol Ilic l't111ct io11s of the Division; L' 1 )" 11.11 1,11 1:; ;11 1d 1•.ii'l s: d i\ I11111·1 :-: Jll111·1dn l li y l' ;1rli :1111 v 11I : ;111d ~· .i \1 1,· 11 H, 11 t · y .~; lil~tl :1rl· ;1 pp, uv1..:d hy llic rv1i11istcr responsible for Fina:-1ce. ,\t tir k S I: i.l. L' 1: 111;111,·i11)•. 111 ,· ;Il· l Iv 1l1, ·;; ol"lli, · I )iv1sio 11 : l{l's,·;ii l·I 1. :;I I1d 1,-.\ ;11lll III v(·s t 1)' ; 1t Iu11 s relating to the functions of the Division· and ,\ii y <>l l ll· i i> I11 Jll1Sl' <i l· ln11 I i11,·d hy Ili c Di v ision in consultation w i th the Mini;ter. 28 Art icle 55: Management of the Fund ~...:c ti on 1: The Fund shall be administered by the Division and a representative of the Comptroller and t hiet' Accountant of the Ministry. Sccrio 1 2: The moneys in the Fund shall be paid into a bank account opened by the Division with the approval of the Comptroller and Chief Accountant of the Ministry. Section 3: Payments issued from the Fund shall be signed by two (2) members of the Division and the rq11·csenta tive of the Comptro ller and Chief Accountant of the Ministry. Ar ticle 56 : Accounts and Audit Section l: The Division shall keep books of account and proper records in relation to .. them in the form ,1 ppro 11ed by the J\uditor-Gcncral and the Public Financial Management Laws of Liberi ~. Scc1ion :~ : The Division shall submit the accounts of the Division to the Auditor-Genera l for audi t within three u:1 months after the end of :.he financial year. Section 3: The Auditor-General shall , not later than three (3 ) months after the receipt of the accounts, au lit llw accounts and forwa rd a copy of the audit report to the Minister. ~cct ion ..:. : The financia l yea r or the Division shall be the same as the financial year of the Government. Art icle 57: Annual and Other Reports • Section l : The Divis ion shall, within one (1) month after the receipt of the audit report, submit an annual report to the Minister covering the activities and the operations of the Division fo r the year Lo which the r ·port r lates. s~ction 2: The annual report sha ll include the report of the Auditor-General. S ction 2-: The Minister shall , within one (1 ) month after the receipt o[ thc annual report, submit the report to Legishiture and the President, with a statement that the Minister cons iders necessary. Section+: The Division sha ll al so submit to the Minister any other reports, ·which the Minister may require n1 wn:mg. 1 rticlc 58: CHAPTER IV: VlOLATIONS, OFFENCES AND PENALTIES Offences 29 ' I I I I r r l: . i ·;i.'ctl\rn l : 1\1 1y s;1lc or offer !'or sale of fertilizers without complying with the provisions of this !\et and u rhcr relev ant 1c1~islat ions of Liberia or the non-compliance of the orders and instructions o: any of the L· nfo rcc 111 c 11 l ;1 t1iltu r iti cs 11otil1ed shall be considered as a violation . :1. 1111 tl· 111 lki1L:ic 11 cy beyond 111axi111u111 tolerance limits as stated the Act; h . '-; l1< l rt wv i i• l11 (d. k rtili :1.c r co11tai11ers beyond a 111a x i111um to lerance limi t of one (1) p erc;:nt; c. ;\ d1tlk1 :111 1lll ut' :111 y ki11d ·. d i\l 1:.111 :1111 l11 w 1i1 · ;111 y ki1 HI: c i\ L1 111il: 1,· 1111 111 r m i11q1mti11 1•. lntili :1.L· r:; w illtout :1 valid certificate of r egistration; \l· ll111 ;•. k 1!1l r1n s w illtllul :1 li n ·11 sL·: !.! I .11t :,1tl11 111:::; i () 11 o l :1 ,T t 1it'ic: 1lt' 111 · t ,')' islr:11io11 or li cense renewal fifteen (15) days after the expiry 111 il11 1· d:tll' , It N1 n1 1i: 1\l tl l\' lll u l IIISj1L'CIHlll k ,· IH' Yilllli litre,· ( .I ) 111011ths or due date; 1. ;',/ 1)1 1 •,1il11 111 :;, 11 i 11 o l Sl ' t111 ;1111111 ;tl lll1111 :q •,l· rq1ml lilke11 (15) days b eyond due, date; 1. :---.J111 1 11l11q 1l 1: 111n· lll' ;111 v :; p,·, 11 ·,,. d11 ,·l'l 11i11 ()r i11 slrnc lio11 or Regulatory Authority in relation to any 1) 11 11 1·. 1u 11 ·: i ii tl11 s 1\ l ·I k . ( ll 1·. 11 111 ·111i11 i ii dl· s1!•.11 :1il'd 1il l1 1·l· 1:; 111 d1 sc l1 :1q •.i11 g tl1c ir duties; and I. .· \tl\ ' ,i1l11 ·1 ,1, I 1l1. tl 1·1n1l1 ;1\'l' 11 1· :, IIH · 111 1i v 1s111 11., oltltis act or subsequent regulations promulgated for 1111· ., l lll Hd l1 111 q i\1·11 11· 11 l;1l1t1 11 "' 1lt 1•; .'\, I r l irk ')1/ : l'l :1111 N 11tric11I lklici,·11n 'lccl 11111 I . \ lt- 111 I I ff t 1:: 1 kl'II 11· tl 111 111 1l'tl l 1k I 11· 11· 1 t1 1 I I I 1c :111;tl ys is by a designated laboratory of an official ":111qil1· -. lt 1i11 •. 111. 11 11 11:, k 11 1l 11l·1 1:, ,kl 11·11 ·111 111 1i11 \· ()t 111orc ur its guaran teed plant nutrients beyond the lll i l.\ ll l lll l ll lll it-t: 111 1 \' \111 11I ·; Sl'c1 11ll1 ' .\ , l,· I H 11·1111· 111 :11 1 1ill1 , l ,tl : .. 11 11pk t 11' k :rtili:1.cr resulting from non-uni fonr ity is not 111.., 1111 ;•u 1:. l1. 1!, k 11,1111 .1 1kl1t·1l ·111·\· d11, · ' " .1111 1: tl pl :1111 1111tric 11t shortage and shall be properly subject to l>iliu ,il .1, 111,11 11 1·1i 11 1: 1111 : •. 111v 1kklt' 11 1,1 1·. 11 1 11. 11111111111q 1,1l'(lic11l in sufficient amount to render it injurious to plant l i k . 11 11, 11 •11 11il 11 ·d 111 ·", 1 11 1!;11 1,·,· 11•11lt dit l-c lions for use on the label, or if adequate warning ~: 1: 11<- 1111 •11 1•• " ' d 111•1 1111 11 ·. l•ll 11 ·., ·. 11' 1111 11 11 1; 1y l,c necessary to protect plant l ife, are not shown on the Ltlll ·I I t 111 111. 11 11.·. •111 \' IH·,11 1 111t ·l. tl 111 n n· :.:: o lll1c tnax imum allowable limits· or I i 111 11 1. 11 11·• .1 11 \· 1111 11 ,1111,d1111 11 ·., ·,·d 111 wn:d seed or some spurious m at~rials. rtick (1 I : 30 Section l: No perso n shall di stribute or offer for sale misbranded fertilizer. Sect ion 2: A fertilizer shall be deemed misbranded if: a. Its label is fa lse or misleading in any manner; b. It is distributed un(kr the name of another fertilizer product; or c. It is not labcled as rrcscribcd by this Act. Article 62 : Short Wcil.!ht Section 1: If any fert ilizer co11tai11cr in the possession ofa registrant is found to be sho1i in weight by more than one percent (1%), the rcgistrant in possession of the short weight containers shall be in violation of this Act. ~ect ion 2: Three vio latio11s withir. a three (3)-year period shall result in a suspension of the certificate of r.:gistra tion or license for nincly (()0) days. A fomih violation within the three (3)-year period shall result in a permanent cancell at ion or Ili c certificate of registration or license. Article 63: Obstruction of ln~pcctors ~cction 1: o person sha II ohs t rnct or h indcr an Inspector in the performance of his duties. ,' cction 2: No person shall 111 ,1k c ;1 l:tl sc or misleading statement either orally or in writing to an Inspector or olher LFRD officer eng,1gcd in performing his/her duties . . r tidc 64: ''Stop Sale" Order Sect ion 1: Where an fnspeclor ltnds a fe rtilizer lot which is offered for sale in violation of this Act, the Inspector shall immediately issue and enforce a written or printed "stop sale order", "stop use order" or ··stop removal order" to the owne:r or d1stodian of that fe1iilizer and hold the fert ilizer at a des ignated place. The Inspector may affi x lo 1hc lot or container a warning tag that states the lot is held. :;ecLion 2: Any lot of fer tili zers l"t1r which a "stop sale order", "stop use order" or "stop removal order" is iss ued shal l be held by the person having control of the fertilizer and shall not be distributed or moved or used except under the specific directions 01· the Division pending a final disposition. Seclion 3: The provision Section 2 of this Article does not prevent any person having control of the lcnilizer fro m inspecting the fer ti lizer se ized, nor from taking from the ferti lizer lot in the presence of a person designated by the Division, a representative sample for evidence. Section 4: On demand, the person having control of the seized fertilizer, at or prior to the time of the sampling by the lnspector, the sarr.ple that is taken shall be divided into two (2) approximately equal paiis, one part of which shall be scaled and given to the person in control of the product and the other part of wh ich shall be kept for analys is a5 requested by the Inspector. 31 l I I I I :Scctiun 5: The Inspector shall release the seized and held fertilizer lot and remove the hold order or Lag: a. Ir th e analysis of the seized and held lot, as determined by a designated laboratory, is nol in v iolation of the provisions of the Act; b A fter th e owner of the fertilizer has complied with any other requirements stipulated herein or spcei li c direct ions given by the Division under this Act; and ~·. 1\ !'ic r tile owner o f the fertilizer has paid all the costs and expenses incurred in co1rnection with lhc "s lup sa le order", ''s top use order" or "stop removal order". Scct iu11 /1: 1I ·11w "sc i ✓. cd and held" lot is fou11d i11 viul,1lio11 of tile provisions herein stipulated, the Inspc:.:lor :,li,lli: "· t '(111 t i1 1uc to !told the lut until tile rcquirc111 L:1 il s have been complied with, after which the lot shall IJL· rclc;1scd ;or b. ls.~lll'. mdcrs !(11 the d ispos;tl or th e illl i11 a I11 :1I111(.: r specified by the Minister. S,·cti(ll t / /\ 11 y pnso11 who l1as co11trnl ()I se i1.cd lci-tili 1.cr 111ay appeal to the Division in writing against til e 1·,·,;11lts (i1 · tl1 c :111:il ys is withi11 lilkc11 ( I S) d:i ys :il'l c r receiving lhe results of the designated laboratory . .')1..'et iu11 ~. ( J11 rcu.: Ip1 o l th e ;ippc,il , th e I )i v isit 111 sk,11 sub111it another sample of the fertilizer for analysis at 011,: ()1' 1l1L· l >1v is1011 's (ksigllakd lahm:1lur y L·l1llSl'II l1 y the appellant. S,·,:tiu 11 lJ : I l1l· rns l u i' l l1 c s;1111pli11g a11d ;111 :il ys is sltall lie borne by 'the appellant. :-i,u1 (i1 1 ltl 1111· 1cs 11 l1 s ul tii L' ;111:tl ys is sl i: tll k s1iln11illed lo the Division within sixty (60) days ufter ,, ·, 1.: q1 1 u! tl w :, ;1 111pk :1 11(1 tl1 c I )1 v isiu11 sli.1II w 1il1i11 SL'.Ve11ty-lwo (72) hours noti fy the appellant of the .c,·,·p1;1 I111· 11, I1· tLT l1t111 (l ltl1e :ippL·:1I . l'rn al(ics for Violalio11 .\ l '11.· 1. ,tivl·1 11111rn1 i ii 1,ii>L·r i;i sl1 :1II l:1 kL· :tll apprnpri,ilc 111casures to impose penal ties for any violatiou of 1:h.' pI(1\ is1(111s C1! ll1i :, 1\ 1:t ;i11d iltL' u 1I T1·I11 l{q1.11L11io11s. ,\11y 111.111 ul :1lt111 1·1 , 11 11pu1 1n t1 I di \ t1il111to1 ()I il ·rtili ze r in Liberia shall have a right to appeal before the .\pp1..·IL11L' 1\11tl10 111 y ;11·.:11 11sl ;111 v 1kt ·isi(l11 1:1h·11 hy the Regulatory Division or any grievance, under pru\ 1.,11111 s ol ' tl11.•: .'\1 ·1. < '11:\l'Tl<'. 1~ V: SPECIAL PROVISIONS ,\ pl'ci :tl < ·011 .\id1..-:tfio11 lor llar111f11I Substances 32 C'...:ction I: When ingredi ents of some fertilizers that are used on specific crops or in specific applications arc deemed harmfo I t() the growth of the plant, the maximum content of the potentially harmful substances shall be stated 011 the label :1s fol lows: a. When urea is labekd to be used as a foliar spray or to fertilize citrus crops, the biurct content shall be limited to one and a half (1.5%) percent; or b When a fertilizer is labclcd to be used on crops that are extremely sensitive to chloride, such as tobacco, that fertili zer shall have a maximum of two and a half (2.5%) percent of chlorine. Sect ion 2: A manufact urer or i rnporter of fertilizer shall include a caution statement 011 the label of any pro duct that contains rnicrnnutricnts: a. When there is cv idt.:nce that these rnicronutrients in excess of a particular percentage may be harmful to certain crors or grazing animals; or b. Where there is evidrnce Lhat these micronutrients in excess of a particular percentage may cause unusual environmrnlal cnnditions. Section 3: When even tlw content of harmful substances exceed the maximum guarantee stated on the label, th ese fertilizers shall be dc :.:med adulterated. Ar ticle 68: Minimum Percentage of Nutrients Claimable fo r Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P 20s) or Potassium (K20), the minimum percentage of nutrients that may be guaranteed shall be one ( I .0) rcrccnt. Article 69 : . Plant Nutrient Guarantees Other than Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Section l: Plant nutrients in addition to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium when mentioned in any form or manner on the labe l shall be guaranteed by the registered manufacturer or importer of fertilizer. Sec tion 2: Guarantees shall be made on.the elemental basis . Sources of the elements guaranteed and proof nf availability shall be provided to the Fertilizer Regulatory Administrator on request. 33 j I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I S~·ct iti11 3 Tl1c 111i1 1i111u111 percentages o f nutrients, other than nitrogen, phosphorus and polass i11111 lli :1 1 rnav lw g t1 :11 ;111ln:d sha ll he as lll llows: . -- --- --- --·-···-------· ( )rdcr of M inimum lkrl:iration N utrient Percent Claimable ··· ---------·-- C tl c it1111 (('a) 1.0000 Su l!'ur(S) 1.0000 M a1~1ll:si11111 ( Mg) 0.5000 ., llurn11 (ll) 0.0200 ) ( ' illmi11 l· (< 'I) 0.1000 (, < 'ul>:11 1 (< \, ) 0.0005 ( 't> pj)CI (( '11) 0.0500 \' ,\ In )11 I 1 :,. ) 0.1000 ') 1\!1; 111 g:11wsc· I M11) 0.0500 I I) Mol ylidrn111ll (Mo) 0.0005 I I Sud 111111 ( N; ,) 0.1000 I I /. i 11t ('/11) 0.0500 .\:..:t i,111 I ( 11 1.11: 11it, ·,· :, t1 1 t·Li 1111 :; 11>1 1l1,· pl:1111 1111l11rnl s li sted in Section (3) of this Artick in add ilio11 lu 11 111u!'>·I I . ,,11,, ,1il1,11 11:. .111d jHil :I:;.·; 111111 11 1 .II1 v , ,1 lw1 11ul11 v11l appro ved by the Divi sion sha ll be the 011l y 011es ll LI I \\ I 11 I 11. , \, I I ·1 ,1 , ·, I , ;s:1011 , \\ l1< ·11 .111 1 , ,1 Il 1,· ,·l, ·111,· 111 ·, l 1::I, ·d 11 1 Sn· li,111 (\) o r the present A r ticl e are guara11lced, 111 <-: ,· ~· )'.hk1,,I 111. 111111.1, 111 1,·1 111 IIII1H ,Ili' I 11I li- 11il1 1,·1 :d1 :ill I1JH>11 request, provide the Ferti l izer Regulatory .\d1ll 1111: .11.11,1, 1111I , .1, 11 111· ,ii 1l1 ,· l:il" ·I .111'1 d11 ,·,·I11111 s \()J tli l: use o!'thc fertili zer. ','...·c·t1 "I1 1, \ 11 1 11 1 1l1, · ,·l,-111, ·111 ·, l 1:.ii',l 111 >; ,., 11 " 11 ( \ 1 ,,\ 1l1is /\ rt iclc that are guaranteed sha.ll appear i11 Ilic , rd, ·1 11 ·.1, ·,I .11 ,,\ l1. il l 11111w.!1.11,·l1· l1ill , ,11· .1·.11 .1 1 .1 I11 n·:-; \111 1l1 l : pri111ary nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus a11d ptil.lY ,I11111 ,1 I"· · ,, 11 I .\rtid1· 711 · \l.1 \111111111 \11011 :dil\' lli-:iq· i\ll'l:il Li111ih :::ilTl 1t1 11 I 1111 111. 1, 11 111111 1 .ill 11 w. il1k l11·.11 v 111 \· t:il l i 111i1 s i11 krlilizer products shall be determined based 011 die !i dl,1 11 111 1• I.1 l, I, Multi~lier Tolerance Heavy ppm per 1% ppm per 1% milligrams per kilogram of Mct~, l P20s micronu trien ts bio-solids or compost ~roducts-dry weight basis Arsenic (As) 13 112 75 Cadmium (Cc\) 10 83 85 Cobalt (Co) 136 2 228Ca) ' Copper (C u) 4,300 Leaci ::Pb) 61 463 840 Mercury (Hg) l 6 57 Molybclenun (Mo) 42 300(a) 75 Nickel (NiJ 25 0 1,900 420 Selenium (Se) 26 180 100 Zin ~ (Zn) 420 2 90o(a) ' 7,500 1"1S'1011/d be used only when the percentage of that particular microm1trie11t is not specified or guaranteed in th e jcrtilizer ,'ubel. :·ection :2 : For a fert il izer product with P20s guarantee and no micronutrient guarantee: ,1. For eac h heavy metal, its maximum allowable concentration (ppm) in that product shall be clctenn ined by mu ltiplying the percent guaranteed P20s of the product by the appropriate factor of that heavy r:-1etal in co lumn 2 in the table presented in Section (1) of thi s Article. b. Howev~r, if the percent guaranteed P20s of the product is less than 6.0, then the multiplier to be 11tilized sha[ be 6.0. :'cctton 3: For a fertil izer product with micronutrients guarantee and no P20s guarantee: a. For eai:h heavy metal, its maximum allowable concentration (ppm) in that product shall be determ ined -:JY multiplying the surp of the gi:iaranteed percentages of all micronutrients in the prod u;:: t by the appropriate factor of that heavy metal in column 3 in the table presented in Section ( l) of th~ present Article. b. However, if the sum of the guaranteed percentages of all micronutrients in the Product is less than 1.0 th~~1 the multiplier to be uti lized shall be 1.0. Sect ion 4: For a fe::tilizer product with both micronutrients and P20s guarantee: a. For each he<1vy metal, carry out separately the computation outlined in Sections (2) and (3) of the present Ar1icle, and the maximum allowable concentration (ppm) of the heavy metal under consideration shall be the higher of the two resulting values. Section 5: For a bi0--solid or compost product, its maximum allowable concentration of each Heavy metal shall be the appropriate value of that heavy metal in column 4 of the table presented in Section (I) of this 1\ rticlc. 35 f t .'. rt i ·! • 7 1: .\la:\imum Allowable Variation of Primary Nutrient Content '.'-i-:ct 1u11 I : ' \ \iv 11 1: 1xi 111 u1 n ;1cccp labk dcv i,1tio11 of the 1ncasurcd values of a primary nutrient content below • rll' , ,dues c l:1i111nl 1111 th e L1bc l shall be th e va lue in the following table: r~ Jl l' of l•'nt ilit,\T Tokraucc '\11 1:! k 11 11lrIl'1Il IL-111\1,vis : \\ 11 \1 1I\l 111 >()",. ll llllil·11t ,· u11ll ' lll \\ ' i l \1 1111111· l\i :11 1 >()"., llllll ll'lll l ' \llll l.' 111 lll;\ Xillllllll 0 .1 uni t. 111:1 x i11llllll 0 ,5 unit. - ----- - 1.. u 111pl,.:.\ k 1lil 11,· 1:; ;11 1d l 'I, lik11d s 111 ;1xi 111u111 1. 1 units for individual nutrients :111d 111:1x1111u111 2.5% for all nutrients l ·,>11d li1 1cd . :-,l·,·1iu11 .1 I lw 1,i1: i\ d n 1:ll1u11 1,,1 :ill 1111111 , ·111:; n111ill111cd is ca lculated from the addition of deviations for 11ut 1w111 •; " 1111 , 11 11 11'111 :. 11 1\\·\· 1 1\1.1 11 t\1, · l.1h,·I ,:1w, 111 1 :1111111 : co1 11pe11 salio11 from nutrients witb content higher ·h,1 11 ,1ll·1·1I11 ·d 1,, \1.i\;111, ,· ,kl 1, w II , \' , ,I .11H>ilw1 1111l1 1l'1 1t is not allowed. \rt irk 7 .'.: \l:"i,1111111 .\11111\'ahk \ :11 i :1tio11 of S1·ro111lary a11d Micro N utrient Content I !t,: 111.1,1 111111 11 .1, , ,· 11I .il,k cl ,·, 1.111111 1 111 iii. · 11w.1·,111 , ·d , :i\11 cs 01· a secon dary o r a micro nutrient content 0 l l'\( )\\ 11 1,· \ .il1 11 " . I l.11 111 ,· d 1111 1l1, · l.il 1, ·I .l1.1I1 l w t l w \ .illl \' Ill the rollowing table: Tolera nce , 11,11 111111 .,1 0.2unit+ 5%ofguarantee " l "l illtd . 11 , \.11 11111 11 • .. ,1 1111 1 • ., 0.2 unit + 5% of guarantee l\ l.1 1• 11 , .111 11 11 1\ l r i 0.2 unit + 5%ofguarantee 11 .. 1 .. 11111, 0.003 unit + 15%guarantee 1 ,,l,.t11 14 "' 0.0001 unit+ 30% guarantee l\ \.,J ·.- I,.I, 111 11111 1\ l,11 . 0.0001 unit + 30% guarantee 1 Iii, " 111,· 11 I 1 0.005 un.it + 11)% guarantci.: 1 "1 '1" 11 1 11 1 0.005unit + l 0¾guarantce I" " 1 11 ,· 1 0.005 unit + 10% guarantee 1, l.111 1·- 111, ·. ,· 1I\ r111 0.005 unit + [1)% guarantee · ,.,,1111 1111 11. ,1 0.005 unit+ lU¾guarantee ." 11,, 1/ 111 0.005un.it + lU¾guarantee 1.'l' l I II 11 . ' I I I' . I I I. I . 111 I 11 I 11 . ii I, I I I 'ii ,\ I. , .1 11. 111"11 "1 1,·11 ,·:drnlatcd in accordance vvith the above shall be one \ j) 1111 11 I I 11, ·1, ,·111 I .· rt id ,· 7 I : ,,.•-:1111 11 I 1,.d Ill .\II\ . <!LI \.1 111111 ·, C'1 I\ I' I 1-H \'I VI NA L PROVISIONS I Ii , 111 ·1 1 111-1\ ' 11 11 11• 1.11, w 11l1 .111d rnln i11lo agreements with other inst itutions in Libc::-ia '' 111 1111 •• 111 \\ , •1 \ 1111 -1 -1I1 ,l l 11 ·, ·,111d 1\i :11 i s legally bound by r elevant ECOWAS fertilizer 111 " 1•1 • 1 1•1• 11 1'- • 11 11111, l''"l'" '·•·. 11Hlp1u v isin11softhisAct. Section 2: The LFRD may also cooperate with and enter into agreements with other institutions of Liberia in order to carry out the purpose and provisions of other Acts and Regulations that may have some relation to ertilizcr p:::-oduction, distribution and use. 1- rt ide 74 : Exchange between Manufacturers, Importers and Distr ibutors t Tothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or avoid sales or exchanges offertilizers to each other by manufacturers, importers or distributors or as preventing the free and unrestricted shipments of fertilizers ro manufacturers, importers or distributors who are registered as required by provisions of this Act and according to the principle of free movement of fe1iilizers . Article 75: Saving Section 1: If any Section, sentence, paragraph, or part of this Regulations shall for any reason be judged inva lid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereo f. ; Sect ion 2: Nothing in thi s Act shall require the Fertilizer Regu latory Administrator to report for prosecution fo r violations of thi s Act whenever he/she believes that the publ ic interest shall be adequately served by a suitable written notice of warning and compliance with such notice. Article 76: Contravention Any dispos ition that contravenes this Act is repealed. Ar ticle 77: Application of this Act [he modali ty of application of this Act when needed shall be fixed by the Minister. , rticle 78: Gu iding Regulations Se~tion 1: Tree- YIOA shall have the power to promulgate regulations for the successful implementation of th is Act and scch regulations shall have the prior approval of the national fertilizer regulatory council ll FRC) before publication. Sect ion 2: T ~ 20 15 Liberia Fertilizer Regulations adopted prior to the drafting of this Act are hereby incorporated b~, reference and fo rm an integral part of this Act and shall be read along with this Act for the smooth and successful implementation of thi s Act. Article 79: Interim Provision The Liberia Fe1iilizer Regulatory Division shall give the manufacturers, importers and distributors of fe rtilizer up tc six (6) months from the entry into force of this Act to adjust to the requirements stipulated herein . 37 .., Art icle 80 : 11'. 111 r y i11to l<'orce Th is ;\et s l1 :1 11 I :1kv \-I k ct i1nrncdiatcly upon publication in handbills by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ANY LAW ro Tlll( CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING 38